The Benefits of Probiotics: Why Gut Health Matters NL-087

Have you ever noticed how poor gut health impacts your mood or worsens your stress? Does it also make you feel more tired and sluggish than usual? Do you experience joint pain and headaches when your gut health is out of balance? An unhealthy gut not only causes digestive issues such as constipation, heartburn or bloating, it may also manifest as other symptoms such as inability to sleep well, fatigue, lethargy, joint pain, skin rashes and allergies, mood changes, sugar cravings and autoimmune conditions. 

A healthy gut plays a critical role in maintaining your overall well-being. Our gastrointestinal system not only controls digestion and helps absorbs nutrients, it also plays a role in immune defense and is directly related to your brain health and influences mood and behaviour. In fact, the gut has its own nervous system, called the enteric nervous system (ENS).  Comprising of more than 100 million nerve cells that line the gastrointestinal tract, the ENS regulates the gut and is also known as our “second brain”. 

Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome. This intricate network of microorganisms residing in our gut actively communicates with other body systems and performs many important functions. For example, it helps in the production of essential vitamins, helps process and absorb the nutrients, produces short-chain fatty acids that protect the gut and maintains the integrity of the gut barrier, regulates immune function and helps produce neurotransmitters that regulate mood, appetite, behavior and cognition.  

Probiotics and gut health 

This enormous community of microbes in the gut – a combination of good, bad and opportunistic bacteria – determines how healthy you are. Any imbalance within this community, also known as gut dysbiosis, can give rise to body-wide inflammation and various health conditions such as thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, dental cavities and more. 

How can you achieve a well-balanced and a diverse gut microbiome that has different species of micro-organisms? Drinking plenty of water, eating healthy with a focus on fresh foods, restricting processed and sugary foods, sleeping well and including fibre-rich foods can positively affect your gut health. You can also significantly improve digestion and gut health by managing your stress levels.  

Adding probiotics in your diet is another effective strategy to maintain your gut health. Probiotics are live, friendly microorganisms that help restore the balance of healthy bacteria and strengthen the microbial community in your gut. Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, buttermilk, miso, natto, kimchi, kombucha and kvass naturally contain probiotics. You can also take high-quality probiotic supplements to maintain your gut health, boost immunity and reduce inflammation.  

Overall Health Benefits of Probiotics

1. Supports healthy immune system
2. Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
3. Reduces inflammation
4. Improves skin health
5. Prevents urinary tract infections
6. Reduces symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
7. Reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression
8. May help in weight loss
9. May help reduce cholesterol levels
10. Improves skin health
11. Reduces joint pain and inflammation
12. Helps in diarrhoea and constipation 
13. Improves oral heath, reduces bad breath 
14. Improves energy levels  

References:

1. Amrita Vijay and Ana M. Valdes. Role of the gut microbiome in chronic diseases: a narrative review. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2022
2. QX Ng et al. Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Major Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 
3. Yadong Zheng. Probiotics Supplementation Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Induced by Chronic Sleep Restriction. Nutrients. 2023.